Winning the Battle of New Orleans
January 8, 1815
Do you know what many people, especially in the South, used to celebrate on January 8? On this day in 1815, Major General Andrew Jackson led a small, poorly equipped army to victory against 8,000 British troops at the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson became a hero (and later the seventh president of the United States). Every January 8, during the 19th century, many people held parties and dances to celebrate the anniversary of the great victory.